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Virgin Atlantic has announced that it is banning the use of Apple and Dell laptop batteries on board its flights.

The decision to limit the use of the computers comes in the wake of warnings about the possibility of some laptop batteries, manufactured by electronics giant Sony, catching fire.

Owners of laptops by Apple or Dell are being asked to remove the battery from their machine before taking off, wrap them up and stow them in their hand luggage because of the potential fire hazard.

Apple and Dell were forced to recall more than four million laptop batteries last month due to a manufacturing fault. Following the safety scare, airlines Korean Air and Qantas imposed bans on using the batteries onboard international flights.

Some Premium Economy seats on Virgin Atlantic flights and all seats in the Upper Class sections are equipped with power sockets, but those who are not in a seat with power are now banned from using their laptops on flights.

Virgin Atlantic said in a statement: 'Virgin is in communication with Apple and Dell as soon as this safety issue is resolved these restrictions will be lifted.'


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